Health professionals for Obesity in the Western suburbs of Athens

Dr. Ioannis Zouridakis, MD, MSc, is a General Surgeon and Breast Specialist who has maintained a private practice in Korydallos since 1994 and recently within REA Hospital. He is a Scientific Collaborator and a PhD candidate at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He earned his medical degree in 1986 from the University of Rome “La Sapienza” with a doctoral thesis completed during his studies. He specialized in General Surgery at the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos" and further specialized in Laparoscopic Surgery at the University of Montpellier in France. He attended the European Advanced Level Course in Breast Disease Management for Surgeons in Athens and specialized in the treatment of breast diseases at the 6th Oncology Hospital "G. Gennimatas." Subsequently, he specialized in hernia surgery using dual mesh PHS & Prolene 3D Patch at Umberto I Hospital in Italy and also specialized in Minimally Invasive Operating Techniques in Colorectal Surgery. He has worked in numerous hospitals and clinics and has served for many years as the Director of the Surgical Clinic at Metropolitan Hospital. Currently, he works daily as a Surgeon – Laparoscopist – Breast Specialist (Consultant Surgeon) at the General and Maternity Hospital REA, one of the most modern hospitals in Greece. Finally, he has attended and participated in over 100 medical conferences in Greece and abroad.

Miari Panagiota BSc, MSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Peristeri. She holds a degree from the School of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and a master's degree specialized in "Nutrition and Exercise" from Harokopio University of Athens, graduating with honors. Additionally, she has expertise in eating disorders and holds a diploma in Iridology. In her private practice, she provides applied nutritional education programs and support for physiological and pathological conditions, such as weight loss or gain, pregnancy, athlete nutrition, childhood obesity, chronic diseases, and eating disorders. Furthermore, she has been involved in public education through television and WEBTV on various channels, maintaining a regular presence on zoygla.gr, Channel 9, the show "Athens Nip Tuck," and channel E. She has participated in the European Study of the Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) program of the World Health Organization for childhood obesity, which was undertaken to be represented in Greece by the Hellenic Medical Society for Obesity in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki. Finally, she has written and continues to write articles for magazines, newspapers, and scientific health websites, attended numerous seminars concerning the nutrition of children and adults, and has delivered educational lectures to sports clubs, schools, and on television.

Η Σωτηροπούλου Αγγελική MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Περιστέρι. Έχει αποφοιτήσει από το Πρόγραμμα Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και είναι κάτοχος άδειας ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος ψυχολόγου, ενώ κατέχει μεταπτυχιακό τίτλο σπουδών στην Κοινωνική Ψυχολογία (MSc in Social Psychology) από το London School of Economics and Political Science στο Λονδίνο. Επιπροσθέτως, πραγματοποίησε σπουδές στο τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, Παιδαγωγικής και Ψυχολογίας με εξειδίκευση στην Ψυχολογία στο Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών. Στο γραφείο της στο Περιστέρι παρέχει υψηλού επιπέδου υπηρεσίες ψυχολογίας και ψυχοθεραπείας, με επαγγελματισμό και σεβασμό απέναντι στον κάθε ένα από εσάς, βασισμένη στην εμπειρία και τις γνώσεις της. Μέχρι σήμερα η κ. Αγγελική Σωτηροπούλου έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχολόγος σε διάφορα σχολεία της Αττικής, στο τμήμα Διεύθυνσης Αλλοδαπών της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας, σε διάφορα κέντρα ψυχικής υγείας. Επίσης, έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχολόγος στο τμήμα Ιατρικής, Στατιστικής, Υγιεινής και Επιδημιολογίας της Ιατρικής Σχολής στο πρόγραμμα "Εγκάρδια", που αφορά στην πρόληψη, στον προσυμπτωματικό έλεγχο και στην παρέμβαση στην κοινότητα στα καρδιαγγειακά νοσήματα στην Αττική. Ακόμη έχει εργαστεί στον τομέα διαχείρισης ανθρωπίνων πόρων και δημοσίων σχέσεων για λογαριασμό μεγάλων πολυεθνικών εταιρειών. Επίσης, κατέχει μεγάλη εμπειρία και γνώση σε θέματα μετανάστευσης, διαπολιτισμικής ψυχολογίας, καθώς έχει εργαστεί για πολλά χρόνια με ευάλωτες ομάδες και πληθυσμούς από διάφορα πολυπολιτισμικά περιβάλλοντα, όπως για παράδειγμα σε σχολεία, κέντρα κράτησης μεταναστών, κοινωνικά ιατρεία, νοσοκομεία. Ασχολείται με την αξιολόγηση, τη συμβουλευτική και την ψυχοθεραπεία, καθώς και με την διεξαγωγή σεμιναρίων σε ομάδες και εταιρείες. Επίσης, συνεργάζεται με παιδιά, εφήβους και ενηλίκους (ατομικά, με ζευγάρια ή οικογένειες). Δεν ασχολείται με τοξικοεξαρτήσεις και αυτισμό. Παράλληλα, έχει εργαστεί ως Ψυχολόγος για την ΜΚΟ Ευρωπαϊκή Έκφραση / European Expression, στο πλαίσιο του έργου "Λειτουργία ανοικτής δομής φιλοξενίας αιτούντων άσυλο και ευάλωτων πολιτών τρίτων χωρών, στον Ελαιώνα Αττικής". Στο γραφείο της στο Περιστέρι πραγματοποιεί συμβουλευτικές και θεραπευτικές συνεδρίες, καθώς και σεμινάρια, τόσο στα ελληνικά όσο και στα αγγλικά, ενώ υπάρχει και η δυνατότητα πραγματοποίησης συνεδριών μέσω τηλεδιάσκεψης. Θεμελιώδης αρχή της είναι ο σεβασμός και η κατανόηση των αναγκών και της ιδιαιτερότητας του κάθε ατόμου, ενώ θέση μας είναι ότι για την ψυχοθεραπεία είναι μεγίστης σημασίας η σχέση που χτίζεται μεταξύ ψυχολόγου - ψυχοθεραπευτή και θεραπευόμενου. To γραφείο σύμφωνα με το νόμο "Προστασίας του ατόμου από την επεξεργασία δεδομένων προσωπικού χαρακτήρα" 2472/1997 τηρεί τις αρχές και τον κώδικα δεοντολογίας των επαγγελματιών ψυχικής υγείας, διατηρώντας αυστηρά το επαγγελματικό απόρρητο των πελατών.

Borsa Dimitra is a Dietitian-Nutritionist and a top graduate of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Nutrition from the same university and maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. During her studies, she actively participated in intensive research activities and obtained scientific publications. Furthermore, she has successfully completed a seminar titled "Specialist in Sports Nutrition" under the auspices of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. She has a strong interest in current scientific data and contemporary recommendations in the fields of weight management, nutritional counseling, clinical and sports nutrition, for which she regularly attends conferences and workshops. The principle of her dietetic practice is a personalized nutritional approach based on the medical and nutritional history, needs, and lifestyle of each individual.

Prentza Vasiliki is an Internist - Diabetologist and maintains private practices in Haidari and Aspropyrgos. She holds a PhD from the Medical School and a Master's Degree in “Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity,” as well as a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The physician completed her specialty in Internal Medicine at the 2nd Internal Medicine Department of the Prefectural General Hospital of Western Attica and at the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos." She has specialized in the diagnosis and monitoring of diabetic patients, having trained at the 2nd University Internal Medicine Clinic of the Hippokration Hospital of Athens. During her career, she has worked as a Specialist Physician for the Health Committees of KE.P.A and in the Emergency Department of the "Hygeia" Hospital. In her practice, she provides comprehensive information and education to patients on issues concerning diabetes complications, diabetic nutrition, insulin therapy, as well as the prevention and management of hypoglycemia. She manages a wide range of conditions, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, triglycerides, hypertension, and cholesterol. She has published articles in international scientific journals and participates in educational lectures for local groups and associations, as well as in Internal Medicine - Diabetology conferences in Greece and abroad. She also contributes articles to newspapers and health-related magazines.

Mantikas Nikolaos is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Piraeus. He holds a Bachelor's degree from Queen Margaret University of Edinburgh and a Master's degree from the University of Kentucky, USA. He has observed and managed a large number of clinical nutritional cases, completing his practical training at the General Hospital of Attica KAT and the Attikon University General Hospital. In 2017, he became a member of the Health and Care Professions Council (UK), one of the largest health professional bodies worldwide, and since 2018 he has also been a member of the British Dietetic Association. To date, he is an external collaborator of the model gynecological and obstetric care clinic "maternacare" and the specialized lithiasis center "Athens Stone Clinic." Additionally, he regularly publishes articles in electronic and print media aimed at improving nutritional behavior and participates as a collaborator of Nutrimed in television and radio programs. He also frequently speaks at various conferences and seminars organized by associations and scientific bodies. Finally, he implements a comprehensive and innovative behavioral modification and weight control program, Nutrimed, for the treatment of obesity and offers other services such as management of clinical cases and diseases, sports nutrition, nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, child and adolescent nutrition, elderly nutrition, segmental body composition analysis with a modern body fat analyzer, health risk assessment using the specialized Soma software, basal metabolic rate measurement, and many others.

Masouras Xaralampos MD is an Endocrinologist with private practices in Peristeri and Kallithea. He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Internal Medicine at the 4th Internal Medicine Clinic of the University General Hospital of Athens "Attikon" and in Endocrinology at the 2nd Propaedeutic Internal Medicine Clinic of the same hospital. He completed an internship at the Endocrinology Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "Korgialeneio - Benakeio" - Hellenic Red Cross. He is a member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society, the European Society of Endocrinology, the Medical Association of Athens, the Association for the Protection of Greek Hemophiliacs, the Hellenic Sepsis Society, and the Skeletal Health Association "Petalouda". Finally, the doctor participates in numerous conferences in Greece and abroad as part of his continuous professional development.

Giazitzi Katerina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. She holds a Bachelor's degree (BSc) and a Doctorate (PhD) from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University, as well as a Master's degree (MSc) in "Nutrition and Public Health." She possesses significant professional experience and currently serves as an external Scientific Collaborator at Harokopio University on various research projects. Additionally, she has research experience reflected in numerous scientific publications and conference presentations. She specializes in nutritional counseling, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. She manages clinical cases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, nephropathies, hepatopathies, among others. Furthermore, she provides care for children, adolescents, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women, and has professional experience in gestational diabetes. Her approach to weight loss management focuses on modifying dietary habits that have led to excess body weight through nutritional education and patient counseling. The dietary plans she designs are individualized and based on the nutritional needs, preferences, and daily routines of each person.

Giannitsopoulou Kallia MSc, MBA, SRD is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, practicing continuously since 2003. In 2005, she established the Scientific Dietetic Center "Healthy Body," where she has helped over 3000 individuals find solutions to body weight issues to date. She graduated with honors from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom (2002) and obtained two postgraduate degrees: a Master's in Clinical Nutrition (MSc) from the University of Surrey with distinction (2003) and an MBA (2011) from the University of Leicester. Additionally, she has studied Life Coaching (Dip in Coach.) and successfully applies self-improvement techniques in nutrition sessions. The combination of coaching knowledge and clinical nutrition optimizes results in weight management as it aids in a better psychological approach to the individual. Ms. Giannitsopoulou has a rich portfolio of publications since 2005 in health magazines and newspapers and is intensively engaged in weight loss, clinical nutrition, eating disorders, and nutrition across life stages.

Kanellou Paraskeui is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and operates a private practice in Peristeri. She graduated from the Department of Dietetics - Nutrition at Harokopio University of Athens and holds a postgraduate degree from the Nursing Department, specializing in Public Health at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in "Clinical Ergospirrometry, Exercise, and Rehabilitation" from the Medical School of the same university. She possesses extensive professional experience and has participated in numerous conferences and seminars. Finally, Ms. Kanellou is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists and the Union of Dietitians - Nutritionists of Greece.

Gkioksaris Vasileios is an Endocrinologist and maintains an endocrinology clinic in Ampelokipi. Simultaneously, he serves as the Endocrinologist-Diabetologist scientific director at LIFECHECK Drapetsona. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Ioannina. He served as a rural doctor at the Konitsa Health Center. He completed his internal medicine residency at the General Hospital of Arta and subsequently fulfilled his military service as a Physician. For two years, he was the scientific director of the Medical team of Doctors of the World (Medecins du Monde) in the Epirus region. He completed his specialty in Endocrinology - Diabetes - Metabolism at the endocrinology department of the "Metaxa" Anticancer Hospital of Piraeus, which specializes in thyroid diseases and is a center of expertise in neck ultrasonography. He has participated in numerous Greek and international endocrinology and diabetes conferences and seminars, maintaining continuous updates on scientific advancements in his field. During his specialty training, he obtained a certificate of specialized education in "Human Reproduction" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He attended an Endocrine Disorders during Pregnancy clinic at the Regional General Hospital - Maternity "Elena Venizelou" and a Growth and Development clinic at the Children's Hospital "Panagiotis and Aglaia Kyriakou." He has successfully completed training in Diabetes at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He holds a license to perform thyroid gland ultrasonography.

Vlaxou Evita is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who maintains a private practice in Peristeri. She holds a degree from the Department of Nutrition Science and Dietetics at Harokopio University and completed an internship at the General Children’s Hospital "Agia Sofia" during her studies. She has conducted awareness campaigns and delivered lectures on nutrition for the elderly at all K.E.F.I. centers in the Municipality of Peristeri, as well as on nutrition in infancy, childhood, and adolescence through various presentations and interactive talks at private and public kindergartens and schools in Western Attica. She manages daily cases involving obesity, pregnancy, lactation, pediatric and adolescent nutrition, nephropathy, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases. Her objective is not only weight loss but achieving a healthy weight with long-term maintenance of results alongside multiple benefits for the body, ultimately aiming for good health. With a commitment to knowledge and continuous education, she participates in pan-European and national conferences and symposiums related to her field.

Aggelopoulou Tzeni & Associates are Dietitian - Nutritionists specializing in Eating Disorders and maintain private offices in Alimos, Piraeus, and Galatsi. She is a graduate of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Alexander Technological Educational Institute of Thessaloniki and completed her internship at the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko". The Dietetic office provides high-level monitoring and management services for eating disorders and excess body weight. Specifically, it offers services for the development of personalized dietary plans for the treatment of obesity as well as pathological conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, endocrine disorders (thyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome), gastrointestinal and renal diseases. Additionally, it provides nutritional support for individuals with special needs such as pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, elderly individuals, athletes, and children. Finally, specialized assessments are offered, including body fat measurement, body composition analysis, and basal metabolic rate measurement.

Tsoukala Xrysoula Md is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Subsequently, she specialized in Pathology and then in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the General University Hospital "Attikon" as well as at the Athens Children's General Hospital "Pan. & Agl. Kyriakou." Additionally, she has attended postgraduate courses in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. The physician has many years of clinical experience and is specialized in diabetes mellitus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as in the management of obesity and metabolic disorders. Finally, she has participated in numerous scientific conferences both in Greece and abroad.

Zaxarou Vera - Nutrithink is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and operates a private practice in Piraeus. She completed her studies in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete. Additionally, she attended a Health Coach training seminar and subsequently a professional development program in Pediatric Nutrition at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has experience and contributes articles to various websites.

Tsoukala Xrysoula MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist who maintains private practices in Aigaleo and Glyfada. She graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Subsequently, she specialized in Pathology and then in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the General University Hospital "Attikon" as well as at the Athens Children's General Hospital "Panagiota & Aglaia Kyriakou." Additionally, she has completed postgraduate courses in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism. The physician has extensive clinical experience and is specialized in diabetes mellitus, thyroid and parathyroid glands, as well as in the management of obesity and metabolic disorders. Finally, she has attended numerous scientific conferences both in Greece and abroad.